OTish: What former recruit do you plan on watching this season?

Submitted by Michigan Eaglet on

In an effort to keep this board college football focused, I wanted to see what former Michigan recruits that we were relatively high on or at least recruited to some degree do you plan on watching this season? This obviously would include former commits as well. This might be just keeping tabs on a player or actually going out of your way to watch a game you otherwise wouldn't just to watch that player. This might give some of us who will be watching several games per weekend this year anyways some additional people to pay attention to.

For me, two come to mind: Kalen Ballage, Arizona State, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC.

Ballage I always thought had the size and came from an under recruited area that he could've been good in our offense and this was only magnified by his run last season where he carried a defense over 20 yards for a touchdown.

JuJu just seemed to be such a polished player coming out of high school and getting a 5 star out of California would've been awesome. He was touted more as a safety coming out and now he's being compared as a WR to Dez Bryant by Nick Saban. Hopefully he goes off against Notre dame this season.

What former recruits/commits are you looking forward to watching this season?

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LSAClassOf2000

August 31st, 2016 at 5:35 PM ^

I don't think I would target any particular former recruit, although the ones I happen to catch incidentally throughout the season are players I will pay attention to for at least a few plays. Ultimately, they aren't here, and especially when I am watching games where I have no dog in the fight, I just watch because I enjoy the game, not because of any particular player per se. I may make a conscious effort to tune into games to see a few of the guys who transferred, mainly out of curiosity, but the first priority is our games always. 

 

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Glen Masons Hot Wife

August 31st, 2016 at 5:36 PM ^

Interested on how Rashad Weaver does...

and yes, me too on Matt Falcon.  Hope he does well and Western can have some success.  Interesting to read on Fleck.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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Space Coyote

August 31st, 2016 at 5:43 PM ^

Two others are Shaun Crawford and Darrin Kirkland.

Crawford seemed like a tweener, and it was tough to find a position for him. But the dude just played football. I felt like he was a "Harbaugh type". I don't know where he'd play, too small for safety, maybe not really fluid enough for CB and probably too small for that position too, but he hit people, he was fast a great athlete, and he hit people some more. He was an interesting player that I'll be interested in how he translates at ND. Currently planned to start at CB for ND.

Kirkland was similar to McCray, but damn, he would have been nice LB depth to have right now. By all accounts he had a really promising first year. He is predicted to be one of the best players on Tennessee this year, starting at MIKE. May have even started for Michigan this year.

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getsome

August 31st, 2016 at 6:29 PM ^

yep, i think kirkland wouldve started at m this year.

actually just mentioned kirkland and darian roseboro further down the thread - both were committed for a decent stretch, seemed like good fits, neither were the super elite prospects or in much danger of flipping elsewhere (until the season unfolded on and off the field), basically 2 dudes m likely locks up most other years.

man theyd be nice to have, especially beyond 2016 when the roster takes a big hit and they could use talented, experienced depth on D.  roseboro has some wormley in him in that hes massive 6'4" 300 lb or whatever yet still moves really well and has versatility to play multiple DL spots (wouldnt look terrible with gary, mone, hurst, etc).  and kirkland is just a rock solid LB - athletic, sharp player, not many negatives in his game

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Billy Seamonster

August 31st, 2016 at 5:49 PM ^

I don't seek out to watch a recruit, but when I'm watching a game, I always pay more attention to guys we almost had, i.e. Treadwell, D'shawn Hand, etc. and always think "what if" we had them on our team at that point.

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WestQuad

August 31st, 2016 at 6:04 PM ^

I was very excited when we landed George Campbell and Damian Harris.  It will be interesting to see if either of them end up as good as their billing.  Dshawn Hand as well.

Joined: 07/22/2011

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getsome

August 31st, 2016 at 6:07 PM ^

always interesting to see how m targets / ex-commits (and transfers) fare in college.

i rarely go much out of my way to follow (dvr or whatever) but ill check for dudes like darrin kirkland, darian roseboro, etc - one-time commits and prospects i was high on (particularly liked those 2 and think both have big years) who would help m this year and certainly moving forward had they signed in 2015.

mostly prospects who wouldve helped fill out that 15 class (since 14 & 15 classes will be thin as upperclassmen when over half the scholarships will come from 16 & 17).  also interested in development of linemen m missed on in 16 like delance, daniels and elliott at ut, boss tagaloa at ucla, etc, guys who couldve bolstered depth in key areas.

i appreciate mccaffreys game so ill try to catch stanford.  kyle bosch intrigues too since he could have an all conference type year.

i root for m so its all about whos on roster and remains committed to m, not who isnt - but im also a degenerate college ball fan who watches as much as possible and its only natural to consider the games of ex or near ex-wolverines

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uncleFred

August 31st, 2016 at 8:17 PM ^

As I understand the question, you are asking which potential Michigan recruits who chose to go elsewhere am I interestied in watching. ASSuming that is what you are asking, the answer is none. Similarly, I have no interest in following a player who leaves Michigan to play for another college program. I watch Michigan football and follow the players whiie they play for Michigan and then follow them if they make the pros. 

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hail2victors9

August 31st, 2016 at 9:17 PM ^

Not that we recruited him overly hard, but I thought it was cool hearing Devon Allen's name during the Olympics.  I missed his 5th place finish in the 110M hurdles.

I'm sure Hoke not allowing freshmen to participate in track and other sports would've have pushed him away even if there would've been high interest.  Brady will have a front row seat to watch Devon at Oregon.

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